Truckers soon will be able to travel through the area faster.
The speed limit for big trucks on interstates outside Chicagoland goes up to 65 mph Friday matching the speed limits for passenger vehicles even though signs wont say so right away.
Itll take the Illinois Tollway a few days next week to change the regions signs on interstates 90 and 88. And it will take the Illinois Department of Transportation up to two weeks to change signs, including those on I-39.
Its much more economical to do it during the workweek (instead of over the weekend), tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis said.
State police will begin enforcing the new speed limits Friday.
I think its best that they go as fast as cars do, said trucker David Holzer of Ingleside, Ill.
Having trucks limited to 55 mph while passenger vehicles are allowed a speed of 65 caused traffic backups and, at worst, accidents, he said. It led to cars zipping around trucks and cutting in front of them, or tailgating trucks in the passing lane, Holzer said.
The change also brings Illinois truck speed limits in line with Wisconsin and Indiana, though still 5 mph below Iowa, Missouri and Kentucky. Proponents say thatll make Illinois more competitive for trucking firms, distribution centers and others that rely on saving time to stay profitable.
But not everyones in favor. Some motorists fear faster trucks will lead to more and more serious accidents.
Theyre already going faster than the speed limit. Theyre always passing us and were doing the speed limit or five above, said Poplar Grove resident Sue Berggren. I think they will figure, now (that) they can go 65, why not go 70 or 75?
AAA opposed the increase because of safety concerns, though spokeswoman Beth Mosher said most car-semi accidents are caused by the cars.
We think this is a great time for motorists to recognize this and to go back to the tried-and-true, share-the-road tips that perhaps we have all overlooked, Mosher said.
Motorists should stay more than 20 feet in front of and 200 feet behind trucks, and not drive alongside a truck, she said.
Dont pass in front of them until you can see their lights or the cab in your rear-view mirror, Mosher said. Have a greater following distance four to five seconds because they cant brake as fast as cars can. Its especially important now that trucks (will be traveling at) higher speeds.
The speed limit change was co-sponsored by Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica. Past efforts had been vetoed by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich; Gov. Pat Quinn signed this measure in August.
It does not change speed limits on big trucks in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, nor does it change the speed limit on non-interstates like the U.S. 20 bypass.